Toronto, ON – The ORC’s industry-funded Equine Medication Control and Drug Task Force, made up of ORC investigators and seconded members of the OPP Illegal Gambling Unit, has succeeded in taking a supplier of drugs to the horse racing industry out of business.  The Peel Regional Police Service also participated in this initiative to target illegal activity in racing.

Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) licensee Ken Hornick of Mississauga, Ontario has been charged with two counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking, one count of possession of a controlled substance under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and ten counts unlawfully having possession for sale drugs contrary to the Food and Drug Act.  He will appear in Provincial Court in Brampton next month.  As a condition of his release, Mr. Hornick has been ordered not to associate with anyone licensed by the ORC.

In December 2007, authorities converged on a residence located in the City of Mississauga to execute two search warrants for illegal drugs under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and the Food and Drugs Act.  Authorities seized quantities of controlled drugs and adulterated unlabeled substances during the execution of the search warrants.

Several months of follow-up investigation, drug analysis and testing have now confirmed that a number of the items seized are in fact illegal substances – including steroids, ergoloid mesylates, and ethamsylate.

Ergoloid mesylates is a drug used to treat problems that may be due to changes in the brain from Alzheimer’s disease.  Ethamsylate is used to arrest or reduce hemorrhaging.  Both are human drugs.

“The horse racing community has sent a clear message: it will not tolerate those who engage in illegal activities,” said ORC Deputy Director Rob McKinney.  “Regrettably, some few individuals, motivated by greed and a mistaken belief they can escape justice, not only break the Rules of Racing but cause harm to the horse and tarnish the reputation of the thousands of hard working people who play by the rules every day.

“Through its support of the Task Force, that community wants to work together to solve and prevent these problems, to root out, expose and punish these individuals.” He said it also expects that the principles of fairness, responsibility and due process will be maintained.

Task force members are continuing their investigation into the activities of Mr. Hornick and any known associates in racing and further regulatory action may be taken.

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